Moyglass & Coolmoyne Vintage Field Day
A great day was enjoyed by the large turnout at the, third annual, Moyglass & Coolmoyne Vintage Field Day. Almost one thousand people turned up with just under one hundred tractors on display including many makes and models, from a Massey Ferguson to a Porsche. Some were beautifully restored, with hundreds of loving hours spend making them pristine for the day. Wonderful examples were on display by the Callan boys who brought a dozen tractors. Terry O’Brien from Slievenamon Club brought his Davey Brown Crop Master. Seamus Carroll showed his lovely Lanz Bulldog. Paddy Buckley brought a complete Silage Rig from the 1960s. The North Tipperary Vintage Club raffled an Alice Chambers Tractor in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin. Vintage Cars and Military Vehicles were also on display.

It was nice to see such a selection of Farm Equipment and Stationary Engines. There was also a great selection of horse drawn equipment and a lovely selection of 50cc Mope Heads from Cahir. Enthusiasts of every age came to Moyglass, some were as old as their tractors and others too young to drive! For anyone who was thinking of flying there was model aeroplanes on show and a low flying aircraft looking down on everyone below. RB Models, who have a shop in Queen Street, Clonmel had a marquee selling model vintage tractors and cars which attracted great interest.

The tractor-balancing competition was won by Billy Egan from Cahir. The mini-digger competition was won by Mark O Connell. The Dog show was again run by John Smullen, from Moyglass Kennels, and over 50 dogs were entered in a variety of categories. Numerous side-shows and stalls, including a Kids Craft Tent and Bric-a-Brac Stall, were run on the day by the Fethard Community Playgroup to help raise much-needed funds to build a new childcare facility. Organising this event took a lot of hard work and dedication by the committee especially Seamus Barry and Sean O’Donovan.

The event was held in Kevin McGivern’s field and all in the club would like to express their gratitude to Kevin. A special thank you would also have to be extended to all the volunteers who helped out on the day including Henry and Benny and Brendan Morrissey, who did a wonderful job on the public address, and all the girls. The event came to a close with the usual Vintage car and Tractor run.

Galway Races Successes
Fethard entries kept Fethard’s reputation as ‘the home of the racehorse’ well to the fore at last weeks Galway Festival meeting. Getting the ball rolling on Tuesday when Ask Jack, trained by Joe Murphy, at Crampscastle, was winner of the Topaz Mile, one of the most prestigious flat handicaps of the week. Hoping to record a Galway double Ask Jack was saddled once again for the Low Low Handicap on Saturday. Here, however, he found one too good for him finishing a good second to Toufan Express. Well done to Joe whose Douze Points was placed third in the same race. On Thursday, in the Guinness Storehouse (Pro/Am) Flat Race, Presenting Nama, trained by Harry Kelly, Rathvin, and owned by Monica Aherne, Prospect, finished second. Banna Man, trained by Thomond O’Mara, at Moyglass, brought a successful week for Fethard owners and trainers to an end by winning the Connacht Tribune Handicap Steeplechase on Sunday. Congratulations to all concerned.

Died Recently in England (photograph – Peg Staunton)
The death has occurred on Sunday 25th July in Manchester, England, of Mrs Margaret 'Peggy' Staunton, nee Keane.
Peggy, formerly from Knockelly, was a daughter of the late Alice and Thomas Keane.
Requiem Mass was held in Withington, Manchester, on Monday 2nd August followed by interment in the local cemetery.

Jack Connolly Ranked 8th in Europe (photograph – Bulgaria)
In one of the best performances by an Irish boxer on the day in terms of non-stop action, Jack Connolly was denied by a single point in his quest for a medal at the European Championships recently. Jack Connolly (56kg), captain of the Irish Boxing Team, went into his final bout hoping to secure that coveted bronze medal and maybe even better, especially after his previous performance in winning the last 16 bout with Tarverdeli of Azerbaijan. However, his opponent, Denys Vasyliyev, Ukraine. also had similar aspirations. The bout was all action from Jack, in from the first, and despite all the shots he threw and landed, especially body shots, he got no scores. The Ukrainian was also scoreless at the end of the round but that was more understandable as he was doing less work.

In the second, Jack again was relentless in his attack but still couldn't impress the judges enough to reward him with the scores his work deserved. Vasyliyev scored a single point with a jab in the round to lead 1-0 going into the last. Jack came out into the final round knowing what was at stake - score or you’re out! Again, as in the previous two rounds, he attacked non-stop, landing shots which to the utter disgust of the Irish support and others in the stadium, were not coming up on the scoreboard. In the end, the final bell sounded with Jack falling flat on the floor in complete disappointment and despair. To think that all his hard work didn't let him win the contest but worse still, didn't even get a single score. The only satisfaction for Jack, if you could call it that, was that this performance proved what many have known about this young man for many years, and that is that he is a complete warrior in the ring. The respect he showed in defeat to his opponent, his corner-men and even the referee was admirable. It was clear to see why this man is the captain of his country's boxing team at a competition where 180 boxers, in eighteen weight categories from twenty-one countries took part. Well done, Jack, you did us all proud.

Publication of History of Fethard (photograph – Medieval Cloak)
‘Fethard 1200-2000 A Chronicle of Survival’ is the title of the history of Fethard that has been completed by Fethard native Michael O’Donnell, originally from the townsland of Kilknockin, just to the North of the town. This huge work, running to over 600 hundred pages, will be launched in the Abymill Theatre, on Saturday 21st August, at 8pm, as part of Fethard Town Wall Medieval Festival. There is an open invitation, to everyone, to attend this historic event and it is hoped that the Abymill will be filled to overflowing on the night.
A Lifetime’s Labour of Love.
This book is the result of many decades of research carried out by Michael who is, without question, the most eminent local historian writing on things ‘Fethard’ for many years now. His articles have been a feature of The Tipperary Historical Journal since it was first published in 1988 and in fact the very first issue carried an article of his, entitled ‘Life in Fethard in the 1700s’.

This new history of Fethard concerns itself very much with the everyday business of life in Fethard. It covers such things as Transport - Roads; Bianconi’s Coaches; Railways; and then such subjects as Schools and Trades, in fact all and everything that goes to make up the day-to-day life of the people of Fethard.

The publication of this hardback ‘limited edition’ History of Fethard is being supported by The South Tipperary Development Company (formally Tipperary Leader Group). It is hoped that most households in the locality will want to purchase a copy of this very complete history of their town and area. Another such ‘history of Fethard’ will not be published anytime soon, and that’s for sure, so this publication, in the year 2010, will itself be a historic event and people will want to be a part of it. The launch of the book, on Saturday 21st August (Festival Weekend), at 8pm, is being sponsored by The Fethard Historical Society and the intention is to also have ‘a night to remember’ for the people of the town and beyond.

Wild West Weekend
Next weekend Lonergan's Bar is 'Going West' with their 'Wild West Weekend' on Saturday night, 7th August. It promises to be great crack with a barbecue, rodeo and live music supplied by the every popular Vincent Vaughan. So do come along in suitable western attire and don't forget to leave your horses outside!

Trip to Dublin's National Museum
A trip to Dublin's National Museum to view the statue of ‘Our Lady of Fethard’ and the three other wooden statues relating to Fethard, has been organised by the Friends of the Abbey. A visit to Glasnevin Cemetery has also been incorporated. We travel by bus on Saturday 21st August. Please contact Agnes Evans or Mary Healy for further details.

Class of 1990 Reunion
If you are in this picture or should have been in this picture (there was an issue with uniforms on the day!), then you should be at our class reunion in The Well, Burke St on Friday 20th August at 9pm. All are welcome and feel free to bring any more embarrassing pictures for entertainment value. For further information contact Pamela Morrissey on pamodonel@gmail.com or Niamh Kenny on niamhk2002@yahoo.co.uk.

Fethard Rugby Club
On Saturday evening last, Fethard J2s took to the pitch for the first match of the season against a new and up-and-coming team from Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. It was Thomastown who put the first points on the board, Fethard quickly settled into a nice rhythm from half-way through the first half. The result was imminent with Fethard scoring two good tries from Shane Kavanagh and Willie Power. Later in the half PJ Morrissey put over an excellent penalty, showing good accuracy.

In the second half Thomastown got another penalty which they duly slotted over, but it was Fethard’s fitness that proved the difference between the sides. With both John Smullen and Paul Ronan off due to injury, it was Jimmy O’Brien who took the forwards in hand and their hard work was rewarded with two very good tries from Niko Hynes and Paddy Teehan. There was a lot of silly ball-handling errors which you would expect at the first match of the season. Nonetheless, Fethard’s efforts were worthwhile as the final score was Fethard, an impressive, 25; Thomastown 6. Players are reminded that training is ongoing on Wednesday nights at 6.15pm and also on Fridays at 8pm.

Fethard and Killusty Community Games
The committee are again appealing to anybody who wishes to travel on the Bus to Athlone, on either Saturday 14th or Sunday 15th August to please give their names to Peggy Colville at the Community Games office 052 6131906 without delay, in order to confirm the size of the bus required.

The annual Church Gate Collection will be taken up this weekend at all Masses. We would be grateful for your support, as these funds go towards the registration of the competitors from the area who will participate at the National Finals in Athlone in Volleyball and Swimming. We would also appreciate the company of some volunteers at Church Gate Collection.

The committee extend their sincere sympathy to Area Chairman, Joe Keane, and the extended Keane family on the recent death of their sister Peg Staunton, whose funeral took place in England earlier this week. May she rest in peace.

Wine Tasting Night in aid of Fethard Day Care Centre
A Wine Tasting night will be held in aid of Fethard Day Care Centre in Town & County Interiors Business, in conjunction with Butlers Bar, on Friday 13th August from 7 to 10pm. Tickets, priced at €15, are available from both Town & County and Butlers Bar

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on 28th July were: 1, 22, 25 and 30. We had no Jackpot winner and no ‘Match 3’ winners. Remember you can purchase your lotto ticket online at www.fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets and get one free! Check on the website for lots of special offers. Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.

Fethard GAA Club News
On Sunday last our Intermediate Hurling team had a great win in the South semifinal, Fethard 1-15, Cahir 0-9, with a wonderful display from Eoin O’Connell, Aaron Conran, John P. Looby and John Leahy. We are now in the final against our old rivals, Moyle Rovers, in a few weeks. Well done to all. Team: J.P McGrath, Aaron Conran, Michael Aherne, John Leahy, James Kelly, Cian Maher, Shane Walsh, Eoin O’Connell 0-2 (65m & F), John P. Looby 0-2, Tomás Keane 0-1, Eoin Doyle 1-1, Kenneth O’Donnell 0-1, Declan Doyle, Colin Allen 0-7 (6F), and Christopher Sheehan 0-1. Subs used: Tom O’Connell, Alan O’Connor and Miceál Spillane.

Our Junior A footballers notched up their first victory in the South Championship League on a scoreline, Fethard 1-20, Clonmel Og 1-5. Our next outing is on Sunday 8th August against Carrick Davins in Ned Hall Park at 7pm.